The undergraduate minor in Spanish requires a minimum of 18 s.h. in Spanish courses, including at least 15 s.h. in Department of Spanish and Portuguese courses (prefix SPAN) at the University of Iowa numbered 2000–4998. At least 6 s.h. must be numbered 3000–4998. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.

Students can count coursework toward the minor from study abroad programs that earn University of Iowa resident credit. At least one course for the minor must be from the lists "Hispanic Linguistics" or "Hispanic Cultures" with the prefix SPAN numbered 2200–2901, 3100–3901, or 4100–4901. For a list of courses, see Requirements in the BA in Spanish section of the catalog and view the appropriate areas.

Students can apply one University of Iowa course taught in English toward the minor, but all other courses for the minor must be taught in Spanish. For a list of courses in English, see Requirements in the BA in Spanish section of the catalog and view the "Spanish Courses Taught in English" list.

Students are not assigned an advisor for minors, but they may consult with the Spanish academic advisor. In consultation with the advisor, students may also choose to count 3 s.h. toward their Spanish minor from:

• coursework in Spanish at the University of Iowa below the major level (SPAN:1502 Intermediate Spanish II–SPAN:1800 Writing and Writers From Latin America); or
• transfer credit approved by the department, including credit from study abroad programs sponsored by other universities; or
• Advanced Placement Program (AP) Spanish Language and Culture or Spanish Literature and Culture exams with a score of 4 or higher; or
• incentive credit earned from the Furthering Language Incentive Program (FLIP).

Study Abroad

The department participates in study abroad programs in Spain and Latin America; most of these programs offer both summer and semester or yearlong programs. The programs in Spain include the Board of Regents Hispanic Institute program in Valladolid (summer only); Cultures of Spain (Madrid, summer only), University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC) programs in Alicante, Bilbao, Madrid, and San Sebastián; and Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) programs in Alcalá de Henares, Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, and Seville.

The programs in Latin America include USAC programs in Chile (Santiago), Uruguay (Montevideo), and Costa Rica (Heredia, Puntarenas, and San Ramón); CIEE programs in Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago and Valparaíso), Dominican Republic (Santiago), and Peru (Lima). For information about other international study programs in Spanish, contact International Programs Study Abroad.

Participation in a number of different programs allows the department to offer study abroad opportunities that take into account a variety of student interests and needs. Credit earned in these or other study abroad programs may be applied toward the requirements for the Spanish minor. The amount of credit that may be accepted varies according to the program.

Interested students should contact the department's study abroad advisor. Credit earned in study abroad programs other than those listed counts as transfer credit and is subject to the 3 s.h. maximum allowed for the minor.

Teacher Licensure

Students who plan to use their work toward a minor in Spanish as an academic background for earning teacher licensure should contact the Office of Student Services in the College of Education about requirements.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Spanish, Minor

This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.